NHS England has confirmed that it will provide an urgent funding boost to improve access to dental services in South Lakes.

Recently, local MP Tim Farron urged the body to take immediate action to help patients trying to see a dentist in the Kendal area. Many constituents had contacted Mr Farron with tales about being unable to register with a dental practice or get an appointment, and the MP appealed for NHS England to provide more money to increase capacity at the town’s practices.

After reviewing current contracts, NHS bosses have agreed to provide additional funding to enable local surgeries to offer new NHS places and increase the number of units of treatment they are able to provide.

Mr Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said that it was evident that the situation in the region was getting worse, as more and more people were reporting difficulties getting an appointment and experiencing troubles signing up with a practice in the area.

While Mr Farron welcomed the cash boost, he said that it would only provide a short-term solution, and urged NHS England to consider long-term options, which would enable more people in South Lakes to benefit from NHS dental services without having to wait or travel long distances.

Residents had complained about being unable to join a register in Kendal, with some advised to contact practices as far away as Appleby.

Graham Unwin, director of commissioning operations for NHS England in Lancashire and South Cumbria, confirmed that he had contacted Mr Farron to inform him that NHS England is now working with existing practices to increase capacity and make more places available.